Block Party Over? Michael Block’s Miserable Start Spoils PGA Championship Return

Michael Block became a household name during last year’s PGA Championship at Oak Hill in Rochester, New York.

The PGA course pro earned a final-day pairing with Rory McIlroy last year and had a highlight-reel moment by slam-dunking a hole-in-one on his way to a 15^th-place finish.

He hasn’t been able to replicate that magic in other tournaments, making the cut at the Australian Open in December, but that’s been it.

Unfortunately for the 47-year-old everyman, it doesn’t look like lightning will be striking twice at the PGA Championship.

Block got his round at Valhalla underway with a bogey on the first hole Thursday morning. He was actually the first player to tee off.

Michael Block, PGA had the honor of the first tee shot of the 106th @PGAChampionship.

Who’s ready for some Major Championship golf? pic.twitter.com/kBrRvlOifO

— PGA of America (@PGA) May 16, 2024

After getting close to the green following his second shot on the par-4 second hole, that’s when disaster struck.

Michael Block: “My wedge game, iron game, around the greens, is world class.”

*also Michael Block* pic.twitter.com/buCnxYC5QN

— Golficity (@Golficity) May 16, 2024

Last year, fans were chanting “One of us!” at Block at Oak Hill. This year, he truly became one of us. Who hasn’t blown a nice approach by spraying the ball back and forth around the green before carding a snowman?

To Block’s credit, he steadied after sitting at +5 following the first two holes. He played par golf for the rest of the front nine, recording a birdie on the Par 4 4th and a bogey on the Par 4 6th, and was even in the back nine as well. But as we all know, all it takes is one bad hole to ruin your day.

Are you still going to the Block Party?

Michael Block finishes his first round @PGAChampionship +5, shooting an even Back Nine: pic.twitter.com/ppQENEOGiQ

— Golficity (@Golficity) May 16, 2024

Block managed an even-par 36 on the back nine, recording two bogeys and two birdies. He sits at +5 through his first round.

Cover Image via Golf Magazine